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Inglewood Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For the 22nd year, the City of Inglewood will recount the numerous contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at its annual march and ecumenical service on Saturday, January 15, 2005. New this year, the City will kick-off its King Day celebration with a rousing ecumenical service at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at The Tabernacle at Faithful Central Bible Church located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Avenue. Immediately following the special service, over a thousand marchers will take to the streets to reenact, in a tribute to Dr. King, the symbolic marches of the 1960’s.

An exciting line-up of renowned leaders, celebrities and talented groups has teamed up to make this a memorable event. The program will feature an inspiring keynote address by Dr. William Thurmond, Senior Pastor of Park Windsor Baptist Church. KJHL 102.3 FM radio personality Janine Haydel will serve as Mistress of Ceremony for the program and the King Day Chorale will provide handclapping and toe-tapping entertainment during the program.

Also featured will be this year’s dynamic winners of the King Day speech contest. Winners were selected in four grade categories representing the early elementary (K-2); elementary (3-5), middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12) grade levels. This year’s speech contest topic for grades K-12 is “Keeping Dr. King’s Dream Alive: Here I am Send Me”.

Immediately following the ecumenical service, the City will begin its symbolic march. The march will be led by co-Grand Marshals Joanna Hayes, 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist, 100.3 The Beat radio personality Shirley Strawberry, and KTLA Channel 5 television newscaster Michaela Pereira. Highlighting the march will be performances by drill teams, bands and pep squads representing all of Inglewood’s schools and several churches throughout the City.

Marchers will leave The Tabernacle at 11:00 a.m. and will travel south on Eucalyptus Avenue; head east on Regent Street; south on Prairie Avenue; east on Manchester Boulevard; and south on Kareem Court to the parking lot at Hollywood Park Racetrack (90th Street – Gate 8 entrance).

Free shuttle service will be available for march participants. Individuals participating in the march may park their cars at Hollywood Park Racetrack (Gate 8 – 90th Street entrance) prior to the ecumenical service. The shuttle will transport marchers from Hollywood Park to The Tabernacle beginning at 7:45 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

Groups who want to participate in the March should click on the link below to obtain a march registration form. For more information about the King Day Celebration, contact the City’s Cultural Office at (310) 412-8700.